The John and Catherine Christian House, SAMARA

In the early 1950s, Purdue University professor Dr. John Christian and his wife Catherine envisioned a home that would not only accommodate their desire to entertain faculty, staff, and students but also grow with their family. Their dreams led them to Frank Lloyd Wright, a legendary architect, who helped them create their ideal home.

The John and Catherine Christian House, commonly known as Samara, stands as one of the most complete Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the United States. Nestled in one of Indiana’s most historically significant cities, the 2,200 square-foot Samara was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2015. This unique home offers both national and international visitors of all ages a rare and immersive opportunity to experience Mr. Wright’s fully realized Usonian design, just as if they were guests of the Christian family.

Named after the winged seeds found in pinecones, Samara was completed in 1956, near the end of Mr. Wright’s illustrious career. Built on a modest budget, the Christians committed to seeing the architect's designs through to full completion. As a result, Samara remains an approachable and educational work of art, proudly showcasing more than 40 of Mr. Wright’s architectural innovations. The house welcomes thousands of visitors annually.

Today, Indiana Landmarks co-stewards Samara with the John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust, Inc., working diligently to preserve this extraordinary property and share its remarkable story. Conveniently located near Interstate 65 in West Lafayette, Indiana, Samara is approximately halfway between Chicago, Illinois, and Columbus, Indiana—two of America’s most architecturally important cities.

A visit to Samara pairs perfectly with a trip to one of the area’s local restaurants or cultural attractions. Support the preservation of this extraordinary property and share its story by making a tax-deductible donation via Indiana Landmarks. Be sure to note that the donation is for “Samara” in the “Leave a comment” box.

Produced in cooperation with Visit Lafayette–West Lafayette, 800-872-6648.